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stuff.co.nz OCTOBER 7, 2015, CENTRAL CANTERBURY NEWS Blatter’s a lame duck, but he won’t go Most observers of the Fifa JOSEPHROMANOS Sports talk I ’ve been trying to work out what twisted logic Sepp Blatter is using to convince himself he should remain president of world football’s governing body, Fifa. Blatter is surely the most discredited major figure in world sports administration. The 79-year-old from Switzerland is under criminal investigation for deals he brokered with his close friend Jack Warner, whichmayhave cost Fifa tens of millions of dollars. Last week Fifa’s American sponsors – Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald’s – said Blatter should resign immediately, that his continuing presence was an obstacle to the reform process and was not in the best interests of Fifa or football. It’s expected Fifa’s other major sponsors, Hyundai/Kia, Gazprom and Adidas will follow suit. Still Blatter won’t go.Hemay be old and corrupt, but he’s hanging tough. He says it’s not in Fifa’s interests if he resigns and won’t advance the process of reform. (That might be a tiny positive step, because at least he seems to concede reform is needed.)0 With Blatter, it’s a case of which of two expressions you believe – ‘‘There’s no smoke without fire’’ or ‘‘You’re innocent until proven guilty’’. scandal are convinced Blatter has at best been a terrible influence on Fifa and at worst is a criminal. In May, after investigations by the FBI and Swiss authorities, a dozen Fifa officials were indicted for ‘‘rampant, systematic and deep-rooted corruption’’. Some have been extradited to the United States, others have admitted guilt and Warner is ‘‘cooperating’’ with FBI officials. This is the world body Blatter has headed since 1998. InMayhe won re-election for a fifth term as president by 133 votes to 73, which says all that needs to be said about Fifa. It’s rotten to the core. Vote-buying and bribery have long been the modus operandi. Whenthe Fifa scandal broke in Mayand it became obvious to everyone but Blatter that the game was up, he belatedly agreed to step down, but not until next February. Perhaps he thought he could turn things around in the intervening nine months. In fact, the situation has worsened for Fifa. Not only is there the major corruption investigation, but there’s nowa separate inquiry into the suspected fraudulent activity behind the naming of Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. There’s no easy way out for Fifa. If Blatter pulled the pin now, the next in line would be senior vice-president Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, whoin 2011 was reprimanded by the International Olympic Committee on bribery 23 Sepp Blatter is looking beleaguered these days, but is clinging stubbornly to power. charges. The other really senior football figure is former French star Michael Platini,who is under scrutiny after a payment of about $3 million that Blatter made to him came to light. The payment, made in 2011, was, according to Blatter, ‘‘valid compensation and nothing more’’ Reeling to help Nepal Christchurch South Intermediate Schoolwas home to a fantastic evening of Scottish dancing and shenannegans last week, when the fundraising Ceilidh raised around $7000 for Habitat for Humanity’ project to build houses for the Dalit community in Nepal. A group from St Saviours and St Nicholas’ Anglican Church in South Christchurch will be joining a team of 185 people from all over NZ, in turn joining a group of about 1000 internationals and 500 Nepalis to build 100 houses in 5 days for families from the Dalit people group. There will be a Community Fun Day on Saturday October 10 at St Nicholas Church cnr Barrington & Frankliegh – proceeds from this will also go to the HFH Nepal Build. 10:00 – 3pm. ‘‘Vote-buying and bribery have long been themodus operandi.’’ for Platini’s work as Blatter’s ‘‘technical adviser’’ between 1999 and 2002 – good money if you can PHOTO: REUTERS get it. To regain any credibility, Fifa needs to start again. Blatter and his henchmen,who have presided over the corrupt and chaotic situation, need to go. Fresh elections are needed. But if Blatter’s attitude is a guide, don’t bet on that happening any time soon. THE FINAL SEASON Premieres 8.30pm Thursday 15th October on Prime! PICK UP YOUR COPY OF THIS WEEK TO a trip for two to London to celebrate the fi nal season of Downton Abbey Terms and Conditions apply. See stuff.co.nz/tvguidewin for details. Promotion runs from 1 October to 2 November.